LSU Community Affairs Liaison Smith named to Baton Rouge Business Report’s “Top Forty under 40”

01/31/2012 05:10 PM

BATON ROUGE – Brandon M. Smith, an LSU alumnus who currently serves as the university’s community affairs liaison, was recently named to the 2011 class of the Baton Rouge Business Report’s “Top Forty under 40.” A Baton Rouge native, Smith joined the LSU staff in August 2007.

In this role as community affairs liaison, he serves as the primary contact between LSU and its neighboring communities, with a particular focus on Old South Baton Rouge. Smith also assists the chancellor with building and maintaining partnerships with local leaders and external non-profit organizations.

Before assuming the position of community affairs liaison, Smith completed two years as a fourth grade teacher in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. As an LSU student, Smith was involved in Leadership LSU, Student Government, Black Student Union and the former Union Program Council. In 2004, he became the first African-American elected speaker of the Senate.

Smith’s community affiliations include work with interfaith groups, Teach For America South Louisiana and the A.P. Tureaud Sr. Black Alumni Chapter of the LSU Alumni Association, where he serves as president. He is also an ordained minister in the Church of God in Christ Inc., and he has an idea about his ability to so much for so many.

“I'm convinced that God adds a few extra hours to my day,” Smith said. “Either he knows I need more time or he feels sorry for me.”

Smith is married to Rachanda Wilson Smith, and the couple has one daughter, Katelyn, and one son, Wilson.